Police: Mayhem motorcycle gang members some of 9 arrested

SANTA CRUZ - The county Gang Task Force early Sunday released the names of nine motorcyclists that were arrested Saturday evening, some of whom are alleged gang members who were carrying loaded guns.

At least some of those arrested belong to an outlaw motorcycle gang called Mayhem, which affiliates with larger gangs like the Hells Angels, Santa Cruz police said.

The motorcyclists were pulled over around 6 p.m. near Highway 1 and Mission Street after they allegedly attempted to evade officers from the Gang Task Force, according to task force Commander Mario Sulay.

Officers first spotted the motorcyclists speeding down Highway 1 at Soquel Avenue, and the pursuit continued to Mission Street, Sulay said. Mayhem is an outlaw motorcycle gang known to be a support club for Hells Angels, which has a chapter in Santa Cruz County, he said.

Six men were arrested on suspicion of reckless evading. They are Chad Vankirk, 32, of San Leandro; Matthew Hanmore, 31, of Fremont; Chad Thomas, 28, of Concord; Thomas Shaw, 37, of Concord; Adam Heller, 31, of Livermore; and Alan Moffat, 44, of Discovery Bay.

Luis Alvelais, 41, of Fremont was arrested for that offense as well as for a warrant.

Michael Gamboa, 34, of Pittsburg was arrested on suspicion of reckless evading, possession of a loaded gun, possession of a dangerous weapon and for a gang crime, Sulay said.

Raymond Simms, 29, of Manteca was arrested on suspicion of reckless evading as well as possessing a loaded gun, possessing a narcotic without a prescription and for a gang offense, Sulay said.